Integrity watchdog CEO quits

The head of Tasmania's Integrity Commission has quit after only a year in the job.

Barbara Etter left her job as Western Australia's Assistant Police Commissioner in June last year to become the first chief executive of the integrity watchdog.

A year on she has left without explanation.

In a statement released to the media this afternoon, the Chief Commissioner Murray Kellam, QC, says Mrs Etter elected to terminate her contract after taking a month's leave and will not be returning to office.

Premier Lara Giddings denies it is a blow to the fledgling commission.

"Institutions or whatever have staff turnover and really it's up to the commission to talk to you about their staff issues," she said.

Mr Kellam says it is business as usual at the Integrity Commission which deputy CEO, Russell Pearce, will run until Mrs Etter is replaced.

The chairman of the committee that links the commission to parliament, Jim Wilkinson, says he was told about Mrs Etter's leaving last week.

But the Independent Upper House MP can not shed any light on her the reasons for her departure.

"It is a matter between the board and her and something that we can not become involved with," he said.

He has played down the departure's impact on the watchdog and expects there will be no shortage of applicants.

"It's a job for Tasmania which is new and, that being the case, I think for somebody to come in and takeover the position and build the Integrity Commission into a Commission which they're happy with I think is quite an attractive jobs and I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people will be putting their hand up for it. "